Justification:
This species has a wide distribution, with no known major widespread threats. It is therefore listed as Least Concern. Within the west African region, this species is known from five to six locations from Niger and Cross Rivers in Nigeria and Cameroon, and the Chad basin. Its AOO is less than 2,000 km². The species is found the areas affected by deforestation due to agriculture, mining and urbanisation development. It is assessed as Vulnerable. More information is required on the species distribution and threats within north eastern Africa, and it is therefore categorized as Data Deficient. It is estimated that less than 5 % of the species is found in the central African region and it is therefore categorized as Not Applicable.

Central Africa:Nannaethiops unitaeniatus is known from the Dja River basin and from Bangui, Ubangui basin. Elsewhere, it is known from the Lower Guinea region where it is widespread in all major drainages.

Northeast Africa: It is present in the upper White Nile.

Western Africa: It occurs in the Niger and Cross Rivers in Nigeria, and is reported from the Chad basin.

Nannaethiops unitaeniatus is a pelagic species. It is distinguished from Neolebias by its always complete lateral line. It lives in small streams where and is omnivorous feeding mainly crustaceans and insects (Mills and Vevers 1989).